Civil War history erased? Much never recorded

To those who believe that taking down Confederate statues is erasing history, I suggest you go to a library, or any search engine, or any American history book, or any cemetery for veterans, and tell me you cannot find any information on the Civil War. That war is probably the most fully documented in our history. I will also suggest that one may find the names of their ancestors who fought for the Southern states pretty easily. One can find the names, dates of battles, where they lived, their rank and much more information.

On the other hand, the people who were owned as slaves and their ancestors have no information whatsoever. Their families know nothing about where they came from or what happened to members of their families. They were documented without names. They were counted as one would count livestock. History is remembered by those who write it and very few African-Americans of that period had any part in the documentation of their ancestors' heroism in the Civil War, their sacrifices or their heritage.

Can the Civil War be erased from history? No. Do we need to see a work of art to grasp the enormity of the woe that was cast upon this nation during that conflict? No. Even with every bit of information we have, and all the tributes and monuments and documentation, those of us living in 2018 cannot remotely relate to those who suffered such atrocities on all sides of the Civil War. Statues cannot keep history alive, nor can they erase it. The Civil War will never be erased and will forever be remembered in the history of our nation whether any of us want it to be or not...

Rebecca Russell, Oakland, Tenn.

Time to forgive, honor the penitent Forrest

Having lived in Memphis and Shelby County for 32 years, I have seen the many trials and tribulations this community has gone through, most of them self-inflicted. Sadly, race remains a huge issue that taints almost everything Memphians do. I have done what I can as an individual to speak against racism and its evil. The entire statue issue has made me think a lot about our situation here.

As we prepare for the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., can we take a moment to consider this latest racially-tainted event here? How can we move forward after the sudden removal of the Confederate statues, much to the joy of some and anger of others, in a positive way that helps us come together?

Nathan Bedford Forrest and his wife’s grave site in Health Science Park seems to be another “slam dunk” statue removal as long as you are willing to only recount history to a point. How can you defend a man who made his wealth as a slave trader, who commanded troops who murdered surrendering black soldiers at Fort Pillow, who “founded” the Ku Klux Klan, becoming the “Grand Wizard”? Who would put up a statue to any such horrific man? Well, as they say, there is a “rest of the story” which is true, compelling and of great service to us today if we choose to recount it.

The important point being missed in the current public discussion (about Nathan Bedford Forrest) is what he did later in life. He repented of his racism. He took a stand against racial segregation and spoke out for reconciliation and racial equality. He was roundly condemned by his former friends for supporting equality for African-Americans...

Dr. King asked us to work towards a country where his children were judged by the content of their character, not by the color of their skin. We honor him as we should. Forrest was an imperfect man who did great and terrible things, but one who repented his evil and asked forgiveness. If we today selectively forget the whole of his story, refuse to forgive, deny redemption, then I submit we fail to do the just thing.

This is a story of great power. Mayor Strickland, use this power to heal us. Replace the general’s statue in Health Science Park with a simple statue of a man who admitted he was wrong, asked forgiveness and worked to right the wrongs he saw. Nathan Bedford Forrest was a great and terrible man. We can forgive and remember his lesson of history. We can come together to do this. Please, for all of our sakes.

Philip Altizer, Bartlett

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